Reading: 15 must-see pictures from the Drone Photo Awards 2025

15 must-see pictures from the Drone Photo Awards 2025

Last updated: 2025/11/21 at 6:50 AM

News Room Published 21 November 2025

The introduction of drones has opened up a whole new world of photography that allows professional and amateur photographers to take a wider range of amazingly dizzying shots. The Drone Photo Awards 2025 capture the beauty of our planet from above, and the winners are awarded across nine categories: Urban, Wildlife, Sport, People, Nature, Abstract, Wedding, Series, and Video. Metro has rounded up winners and runner ups from some of the categories for you to enjoy. (Picture: Shimon Perlstein/@sienawards)

OVERALL WINNER OF DRONE AWARD: The Lone Horseman???(by???Dennis???Schmelz), Cappadocia (Turkey). The Siena Drone Photo Awards 2025 winners have been announced. The event showcases the impressive work of aerial photographers around the world. The organisers said: "Drone Photo Awards 2025 is the award that celebrates aerial photography as a language capable of transforming the world seen from above into images of great impact and suggestion." The international jury chose German photographer Dennis Schmelz as the overall winner in 2025 with The Lone Horseman, made in Cappadocia: a lone rider immortalised on a rocky outcrop during the blue hour, in an image that blends beauty, mystery and unique perspective on an iconic landscape of Turkey. Dennis Schmelz said: "I took this photo in Cappadocia while searching for new angles, which can be quite a challenge in a place where every corner seems to have been photographed already. During a sunset shoot with a horseman, I discovered this perspective with my drone. It creates the illusion that he???s standing on a plateau, when in reality it???s just the angle that makes it look this way. This shot feels truly rare, a fresh view from a spot that???s usually crowded and over-photographed." Photo released 20/11/2025 — Photographer Dennis Schmelz said of this picture known as The Lobe Horseman: ‘During the magic of blue hour, a lone rider stands atop a rocky outcropping in the heart of Cappadocia.’ Taken on the very first evening during Dennis’ winter trip, this photo showcases the beauty and mystery of Cappadocia in all its glory. Using his drone, Dennis managed to find a unique and breathtaking perspective that had never been captured before in this often-photographed landscape. (Picture: Dennis Schmelz/@sienawards)

URBAN CATEGORY 1ST PLACE: Swallowed???(by???Mohammad???Ataei mohammadi), Lake Urmia (Iran). "The Artemia pleasure boat stands marooned in the dried bed of Lake Urmia, Iran???trapped in a crater eerily shaped like a monster???s belly. Years of drought, mismanagement, and agricultural overuse have drained the lake, leaving behind symbols of its forgotten past." The Siena Drone Photo Awards 2025 winners have been announced. The event showcases the impressive work of aerial photographers around the world. The organisers said: "Drone Photo Awards 2025 is the award that celebrates aerial photography as a language capable of transforming the world seen from above into images of great impact and suggestion." The international jury chose German photographer Dennis Schmelz as the overall winner in 2025 with The Lone Horseman, made in Cappadocia: a lone rider immortalised on a rocky outcrop during the blue hour, in an image that blends beauty, mystery and unique perspective on an iconic landscape of Turkey. Dennis Schmelz said: "I took this photo in Cappadocia while searching for new angles, which can be quite a challenge in a place where every corner seems to have been photographed already. During a sunset shoot with a horseman, I discovered this perspective with my drone. It creates the illusion that he???s standing on a plateau, when in reality it???s just the angle that makes it look this way. This shot feels truly rare, a fresh view from a spot that???s usually crowded and over-photographed." Photo released 20/11/2025 — Photographer Mohammad Ataei Mohammadi said of this picture called Swallowed: ‘The Artemia pleasure boat stands marooned in the dried bed of Lake Urmia, Iran—trapped in a crater eerily shaped like a monster’s belly. Years of drought, mismanagement, and agricultural overuse have drained the lake, leaving behind symbols of its forgotten past.’ (Picture: Mohammad Ataei Mohammadi/@sienawards)

Drone Photo Awards 2025 — Photographer Sarah Wouters said of her picture known as The seaweed road of Fujian: ‘Shajiang village, in Xiapu county, is famous for its “S-bend” mudflats. The bamboo poles create a stunning visual pattern on the mudflats and are used for drying seaweed. Fishing boats navigating through these poles add dynamism to the scene.’ (Picture: Sarah Wouters/@sienawards)

WILDLIFE CATEGORY 1ST PLACE: Another World?(by?Joanna?Steidle), Southampton, New York (USA). "This is a top-down drone capture of a fever of cownose rays dividing a school of menhaden fish. Taken just off the coast of Southampton in August, the sky was clear and the sea was calm, allowing the sunlight to enhance the waters' depth and the bursting sand clouds." The Siena Drone Photo Awards 2025 winners have been announced. The event showcases the impressive work of aerial photographers around the world. The organisers said: "Drone Photo Awards 2025 is the award that celebrates aerial photography as a language capable of transforming the world seen from above into images of great impact and suggestion." The international jury chose German photographer Dennis Schmelz as the overall winner in 2025 with The Lone Horseman, made in Cappadocia: a lone rider immortalised on a rocky outcrop during the blue hour, in an image that blends beauty, mystery and unique perspective on an iconic landscape of Turkey. Dennis Schmelz said: "I took this photo in Cappadocia while searching for new angles, which can be quite a challenge in a place where every corner seems to have been photographed already. During a sunset shoot with a horseman, I discovered this perspective with my drone. It creates the illusion that he?s standing on a plateau, when in reality it?s just the angle that makes it look this way. This shot feels truly rare, a fresh view from a spot that?s usually crowded and over-photographed." Photo released 20/11/2025 — Called Another World, photographer Joanna Steidle said: ‘This is a top-down drone capture of a fever of cownose rays dividing a school of menhaden fish. Taken just off the coast of Southampton in August, the sky was clear and the sea was calm, allowing the sunlight to enhance the waters’ depth and the bursting sand clouds.’ (Picture: Joanna Steidle/@sienawards)

Drone Photo Awards 2025 — Photographer Mahdi Gholoum said of his photo called Where Silence Casts a Shadow: ‘This is not merely an image of natural beauty; it is a visual statement. The eagle’s shadow does not simply fall on the ground—it marks it, confronts it. A silent environmental message emerges: no matter how high life flies, it remains tethered to the earth beneath.’ (Picture: Mahdi Gholoum/@sienawards)

SPORT CATEGORY 1ST PLACE: Running on Salt???(by???Shimon???Perlstein), The Dead Sea. "Runners push forward as the first light of dawn breaks over the Dead Sea. The photo was captured during the Dead Sea Marathon, and this moment reflects both human endurance and the surreal beauty of the lowest place on Earth." The Siena Drone Photo Awards 2025 winners have been announced. The event showcases the impressive work of aerial photographers around the world. The organisers said: "Drone Photo Awards 2025 is the award that celebrates aerial photography as a language capable of transforming the world seen from above into images of great impact and suggestion." The international jury chose German photographer Dennis Schmelz as the overall winner in 2025 with The Lone Horseman, made in Cappadocia: a lone rider immortalised on a rocky outcrop during the blue hour, in an image that blends beauty, mystery and unique perspective on an iconic landscape of Turkey. Dennis Schmelz said: "I took this photo in Cappadocia while searching for new angles, which can be quite a challenge in a place where every corner seems to have been photographed already. During a sunset shoot with a horseman, I discovered this perspective with my drone. It creates the illusion that he???s standing on a plateau, when in reality it???s just the angle that makes it look this way. This shot feels truly rare, a fresh view from a spot that???s usually crowded and over-photographed." Photo released 20/11/2025 — Titled as Running on Salt, the photographer Shimon Perlstein said of the picture: ‘Runners push forward as the first light of dawn breaks over the Dead Sea. The photo was captured during the Dead Sea Marathon, and this moment reflects both human endurance and the surreal beauty of the lowest place on Earth.’ (Picture: Shimon Perlstein/@sienawards)

Drone Photo Awards 2025 — Photographer Jb Liautard said of his picture titled as The Dune: ‘Kilian Bron riding down one of the highest sand dunes in the world.’ The photographer only had one attempt, and luckily, Kilian made a slight turn exactly at the right moment, lifting some sand in the air. (Picture: Jb Liautard/@sienawards)

Drone Photo Awards 2025 — Photographer Thibault Gerbaldi said of their picture titled as Aarti Under the Stars: ‘Each night in Varanasi, the Ganga Aarti ceremony unfolds in a blaze of fire and devotion. People attend this sacred ritual either by walking or by sitting on neighboring boats, clustered together. The ceremony honors the Ganges River, believed to cleanse sins and purify the soul.’ (Picture: Thibault Gerbaldi/@sienawards)

Drone Photo Awards 2025 — Photographer Benny Kasper said of this image titled as Isobel: ‘Let’s see what the new day brings if you feel lost today. Until the last rays of Sun disappear above the clouds, it feels like heaven. The image conveys a quiet message of hope and new beginnings. It speaks to those who feel lost, reminding them that each new day holds fresh possibilities.’ (Picture: Benny Kasper/@sienawards)

NATURE CATEGORY 1ST PLACE: The Long Shadow???(by???Christopher???Harrison), Oxfordshire (England). "On the first day of meteorological spring, the warm sunrise light filtered through the low-lying mist, casting a striking long shadow behind this small cluster of trees atop an ancient Bronze Age burial mound". The Siena Drone Photo Awards 2025 winners have been announced. The event showcases the impressive work of aerial photographers around the world. The organisers said: "Drone Photo Awards 2025 is the award that celebrates aerial photography as a language capable of transforming the world seen from above into images of great impact and suggestion." The international jury chose German photographer Dennis Schmelz as the overall winner in 2025 with The Lone Horseman, made in Cappadocia: a lone rider immortalised on a rocky outcrop during the blue hour, in an image that blends beauty, mystery and unique perspective on an iconic landscape of Turkey. Dennis Schmelz said: "I took this photo in Cappadocia while searching for new angles, which can be quite a challenge in a place where every corner seems to have been photographed already. During a sunset shoot with a horseman, I discovered this perspective with my drone. It creates the illusion that he???s standing on a plateau, when in reality it???s just the angle that makes it look this way. This shot feels truly rare, a fresh view from a spot that???s usually crowded and over-photographed." Photo released 20/11/2025 — Known as The Long Shadow, photographer Christopher Harrison said of his picture that won the Nature category: ‘On the first day of meteorological spring, the warm sunrise light filtered through the low-lying mist, casting a striking long shadow behind this small cluster of trees atop an ancient Bronze Age burial mound.’ (Picture: Christopher Harrison/@sienawar)

Drone Photo Awards 2025 — Photographer Thorarinn Jonsson said of their photo titled as Scale: ‘An aerial view of two massive icebergs floating in deep blue Arctic waters deep within Greenland’s massive fjords, with their submerged portions glowing turquoise beneath the surface. A small sailboat in the distance adds scale and serenity to this striking polar seascape.’ (Picture: Thorarinn Jonsson/@sienawar)

ABSTRACT CATEGORY 1ST PLACE: The eye???(by???Pawel???Zygmunt), Hveravellir (Iceland). "An aerial view of Hveravellir, in Iceland, shows a geothermal pool shaped like an animal???s eye, with a dark blue center and rich brown textures surrounding it. The barren, rocky landscape and layered mineral deposits give the scene a raw, ancient feel." The Siena Drone Photo Awards 2025 winners have been announced. The event showcases the impressive work of aerial photographers around the world. The organisers said: "Drone Photo Awards 2025 is the award that celebrates aerial photography as a language capable of transforming the world seen from above into images of great impact and suggestion." The international jury chose German photographer Dennis Schmelz as the overall winner in 2025 with The Lone Horseman, made in Cappadocia: a lone rider immortalised on a rocky outcrop during the blue hour, in an image that blends beauty, mystery and unique perspective on an iconic landscape of Turkey. Dennis Schmelz said: "I took this photo in Cappadocia while searching for new angles, which can be quite a challenge in a place where every corner seems to have been photographed already. During a sunset shoot with a horseman, I discovered this perspective with my drone. It creates the illusion that he???s standing on a plateau, when in reality it???s just the angle that makes it look this way. This shot feels truly rare, a fresh view from a spot that???s usually crowded and over-photographed." Photo released 20/11/2025 — Photographer Pawel Zygmunt said of the photograph titled as The eye: ‘An aerial view of Hveravellir, in Iceland, shows a geothermal pool shaped like an animal’s eye, with a dark blue center and rich brown textures surrounding it. The barren, rocky landscape and layered mineral deposits give the scene a raw, ancient feel.’ (Picture: Pawel Zygmunt/@sienawards)

Drone Photo Awards 2025 — Titled as The Tide Money Tree, photographer Xu Zhang said of their picture that won runner up in the Abstract category: ‘The Qiantang River tide is a famous natural landscape and phenomenon. When the tide recedes, it leaves many traces in the waterway. These tidal patterns, combined with the dry and yellow plants on the shore, resemble a huge money tree.’ (Picture: Xu Zhang/@sienawards)

WEDDING CATEGORY 1ST PLACE: Eloping above the Clouds?(by?Oliver and Steph?Prince), Isle of Skye (Scotland). "A newlywed couple stands above the clouds after hiking up a hill on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. They emerged above an incredible cloud inversion to find the peace and solitude they needed for their elopement." The Siena Drone Photo Awards 2025 winners have been announced. The event showcases the impressive work of aerial photographers around the world. The organisers said: "Drone Photo Awards 2025 is the award that celebrates aerial photography as a language capable of transforming the world seen from above into images of great impact and suggestion." The international jury chose German photographer Dennis Schmelz as the overall winner in 2025 with The Lone Horseman, made in Cappadocia: a lone rider immortalised on a rocky outcrop during the blue hour, in an image that blends beauty, mystery and unique perspective on an iconic landscape of Turkey. Dennis Schmelz said: "I took this photo in Cappadocia while searching for new angles, which can be quite a challenge in a place where every corner seems to have been photographed already. During a sunset shoot with a horseman, I discovered this perspective with my drone. It creates the illusion that he?s standing on a plateau, when in reality it?s just the angle that makes it look this way. This shot feels truly rare, a fresh view from a spot that?s usually crowded and over-photographed." Photo released 20/11/2025 — Titled as Eloping above the Clouds, photographers Oliver and Steph Prince said of their photograph: ‘A newlywed couple stands above the clouds after hiking up a hill on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. They emerged above an incredible cloud inversion to find the peace and solitude they needed for their elopement.’ (Picture: Oliver and Steph Prince/@sienawards)

Drone Photo Awards 2025 — Titled as Into the abyss, photographer Tim Demski said about his photograph: ‘This photo was taken during an elopement photoshoot. An amazing location was found: a bridge over a large ravine in an ancient Italian town. The dark and gloomy sky, combined with the picturesque ruins in the background, created the perfect setting for this cinematic image.’ (Picture: Tim Demski/@sienawards)

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